India: Centre Seeks Removal of Historic Qadeemi Masjid in Delhi, High Court Examines Case NEW DELHI, India – November 5, 2026 The future of the historic Qadeemi Masjid inside Delhi's Krishi Bhawan complex has become the subject of a legal dispute after the central government informed the Delhi High Court that it intends to remove the mosque to facilitate redevelopment under India's Central Vista project. The development has raised questions about the protection of historic religious sites, access to places of worship and the treatment of religious structures located on government-owned land. Why Does the Government Want to Remove the Mosque? In an affidavit submitted to the Delhi High Court, the central government, through the Land and Development Office (L&DO), argued that maintaining a permanent religious structure within a central government office complex would be inconsistent with the secular character of government property. The government also stated that the land is required for the construction of Common Central Secretariat Buildings 4 and 5 as part of the Central Vista redevelopment project. It further argued that an agreement dated November 8, 1940, permitted the mosque's managing committee to use the land for religious purposes but did not grant ownership rights over the property. These are the government's submissions before the court and have not been established as final judicial findings. Mosque Committee Seeks Protection The mosque's managing committee has approached the Delhi High Court seeking protection for Qadeemi Masjid. According to submissions reported by Indian media, the committee maintains that the mosque existed before the construction of the Krishi Bhawan complex and has served Muslim employees and visitors in the surrounding government offices for decades. The mosque is also reported to have been notified as a Waqf property by the Delhi Waqf Board in 1970. The committee has indicated that it is not seeking to obstruct the wider redevelopment project. Instead, it wants the mosque's religious needs and the availability of a suitable prayer facility to be considered. Delhi High Court Seeks Clarification During the proceedings, Justice Anish Dayal questioned whether government rules actually prevent the provision of prayer facilities for different religious communities within government complexes. The court sought further clarification from the government regarding the legal basis of its position. The matter remains under judicial consideration, with the next hearing scheduled for November 23, 2026. As of November 5, no final court order directing the demolition of the mosque has been reported. A Wider Question About Religious Heritage The case has significance beyond the redevelopment of one government complex. It raises broader questions about how historic places of worship are treated when public infrastructure projects require the use of land on which religious structures already exist. The court's eventual decision may clarify how the competing considerations of public redevelopment, historical claims, religious access and government land policies should be addressed. Islam Global News will continue to follow the court proceedings and report verified developments as they emerge. Islam Global News | India Desk